Release the donkey from his “embarrassing situation,” but leave other
details of the mischief for a day or two. Some inkling of who the
perpetrators are will probably leak out in that time.
Meanwhile, have the damages appraised by the school board.
Next have a private talk with the president and other officers of the
class, stating to them the amount of the damages, the fact that you will
present the bill to the class and that you will then turn it over to
them for collection; also that you will expect their hearty coöperation
in seeing that all damages are repaired and paid for.
Finally, address the class as a whole. Say to the class, “I appreciate
the funny side of your pranks the other evening, but there are some
damages that some one has to pay. Two or three members of the board, in
whom all of us have confidence, have appraised them at ten dollars. You
have made a good record as a class. I shall expect you to live up to
your reputation by doing the fair and square thing in this instance
also. That means that you will authorize your president or some other
member of the class to see that damages are repaired and expenses paid.
You had lots of fun, but if the fun is ‘worth the candle,’ why, now, the
only manly course to pursue is to ‘pay for the candle.’
“I think it will not be necessary for me to speak of this episode again.
I leave the matter in your hands. I will ask your class president to
report to me when the work is completed.”